Humidifying apparatus.



PATENTED NOV. 13, 1906.

J. J. SMITH. HUMIDIFYING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED APR.23. 1902.

247%: fizz/min To all whom it may concern PATENT QFFIC.

' JOSEPH J. SMITH, OF NEWYORK. N. Y.

i nummievme APPARATUS;

no. sse,se4.

Specification of Letters Patent. Application 516a April 23,1902. Serial No. 104.286.

Patented. Nov. 1a, 1906.

Be it known that I, JOSEPH J. SMITH, ii citizen of the United States; residi in the city, county, and State of New York, ave invent:

ed certain new-and useful Im lovenients in' Humidifying Apparatus, of whlch the following is a specification, reference being made to section s own in Fig. 1. *tion of a portion of the fee -tank with the the accompanying drawings, where1n Figure'l is a vertical section of the appara tus. Fi 2 is a section at right angles to the F1 3 is an elevapump mounted thereon. Fig. 4 is .1. transfverse section of Fig. 3 through the pump reliably with but a slight amount of atten,

shaft. and Pi 6 1s a transverse section shaft 0 the float-cock.-

Fig. 5 is a detail of the jet-reservoir, through the My invention relates to anapparatus for humidifying the atmosphere in a artments of any kind, particularly oflices'nn dwellingrooms; but 1t may likewise be used in any case where it is desired to maintain the humidity of the atmosphere at a definite point.

In general I provide for passing the air by means of a power-driven fanover saturated absorbent surfaces supplied with water, and.

my'invention comprises means for performing this operation in a sim 1e and reliable manner and particularly wit a view to producing a sightly structure which ma be used. in. rooms and ofiices and which 'lope'rate tion.

' Referring to Fig. 1, A represents the external casing of the device, which is preferably made of ornamental wood lined wlth a sheet of rubber or other suitable moisture-proof material, and in external appearance the apparatus is about of the general size andap enance of a hall-clock, it being highly inigortant to diminish the floor-space occupied y the device and to utilizethe vertical space for the necessary-room required for the eattended surface of the moistened sheets'over which the air is driven. By so arranging the device I am enabled to provide a construction which takes up but one or two square feet of floor-s ace, is about seven feet inheight, and w ch is notonly unobjectionable in appearance, but may even be regard ed as ornamentalincertain situations.

Within the casing A aforesaid there is contained in the baseor lower part a blower B,

--ward driven by an electric motor C, and two metallic water-tanks; one a su ly-tankD and the other a feed-tank E. ithin the u per vertical part of the casing are containe the series of vertically disposed moisteningsheets F, attached at their u per ends to the grid-shapedjet-tank G and at their lower ends to the cross-rods of a. framework H, supported from the interior walls of the casing, so as to provide parallel passa es between the sheets open at the bottom. eneath the sheets is awater-collector J, containin an airdistributer J Referring to these, eatures in detail, the supply-tank. D is contained the upper part of the base of the ap aratus which is provided with the hinged l1 s K K, which may be lifted up to admit of the water being introduced into the supply-tank,

cpck L. This float-cock is ofpeculiar con-- struction, the-float being a conlcally-shap'ed hollow box having the cross-section shown into the feed-1" in Fig. 1 and the external appearance shown in Fi 2. The buoyancyof this float is se-. cure by the air-contained; within it and also by the-air trapped on itszunder side in the ex- .85 ternal depression Z, the dis ,lacement being I Y that due to the sum of-the internal and ex-? I ternal air-spaces. A fifoat of this form-has the requisite buoyan'cywithin a small compass 9 and'also has 9. hi

degree of'stabihty, causing it to act in a irec't ine without any tendency to bind in and obstruct the pipe d] by tipping sidewises A stern l projects uprom the float-It and enters loose-l into the tube d. I The stem .ZC-ismectangn fif ill cross-section, as showninl'ig fi'so as to perrnit the passage of. the water between 'tand the interior wallsof the circular tube At the base of the stem 7 is a leather washerl, which abuts against the lower extremity of the tube d" when the float rises to-its upper limit, and thereby seals the tube against-any flow of water from the supp] tank Figs. 2 and 4, in the upper eas en -.11 is joumaled the driving shaft P, carrying a'tits asmallpump mounts an ab ckflff.

outer end a large friction-wheel O and on its inner end' an eccentric O, which operates the piston-rod p of the pump, The upper end v the usual check-v alves p one communicating directly with the water in the'feed-tank with the E and the other communicatin with the flexible tube S, throu h which the water is forced to the jet-tank at the top of the apparatus. The bracket P", which carries the ump, is pivoted at one side of the pum -cylinder'to a plate Q, which is attache to a flan eon the edge of the tank E by the clamps r. he ivot for the mounting of the porn is formed Ky the screw R. The pump, toget er bracket to which it is attached, is thus free tooscillate'vertically around the screw it as a center. A coiled spring T is mounted on a pro'ection g from the plate Q, and ts outer end ears upon the bracket P, tending to lift the bracket thereby press the fricti n-Wheel (l, whicn drives the pum against the small friction- -Wheel 0 on the s aft of the motor C. By this ging ot the pump or other disturbance a new' portingas readthe feed-tank, and its'position may be easily adjusted along the edge of the tank by the clam 1' by snnply loosening the screws which ho d the clamp. This adjustment of the position of the pum also adjusts the tension of'the spring an so causes a greater or less amount of friction arrangement the pump and its su -betweenthe wheels 0 and 0. The driving of the pump is thus made reliable and extremel simple, and in the event of any dog one can be substituted in a moment or the defective one removedand repaired. The

V flexible tube S leads, as above mentioned, to

gso

thejet-tank G, which is formed in the shape of} a rid, being composed of the transverse.

tube and a series 01' lateral tubes V, errtending therefrom at right angles. The tubes V have a series of perforations on their top. sides. bridge-rod WV, over which one of the sheets F is passe-data itsup or end, so as to form a loop embracing both t e tube V and the bridgerod W, as shown in 5. The bridge-rod holdsthe loop of the sheet out of contact with the upperside ofth tube V so asto "maintain tneperforatiohs in the tube free from any obstruction-by the material of the t V Atthe same time the water emerging iromflthesaad openings lows in both directions against the material of the loop and is therebky; led down along the absorbent sheet ,Thecapacity the pump is comparatively small, yetby continuous operation it is able to lift sufficient water to fill the jet-tank nd the pump, and.

Each one also carries a,

composed of the tubes V and -V untilthe water is distributed throughout the jet-tank -up to the level of the openings on top of the several tubes V. Thereafter each stroke of the ump simply'causes a sli ht overflow through all of the jet-openings a oresaid onto the sheets F. By this arrangement the water remains distributed alon the upper edges of the sheets by reason or the capacity of the jet-tank, While the pump simply adds t y mas pressure sufficient to sligh e the level of the entire water-line on the tank, and thereby equally distribute the water along the entire ilizpper edge of each one of the several sheets- This method of securing uniformity of distribution is a feature of considerable importance in my apparatus, since Without such a' tank or reservoir feature the water introduced into perforated distributin -tubes such as have heretofore been used won d tend to flow more freely out of the perforations nearest to the source of supply and less freely out of the renioter ones, thus preventing umform distribution.

The sheets F may be of any suitable fabric, preferably one with a coarse weave, which will at the same ,time have sufficient durability and strength and also absorb and permit the downward passage of the water therethrough. Both surfaces of the sheet are thereby maintained uniformly Wet. The lower ends of the several sheets are attached,

respectively, to the cross-rods X, attached lon itudinally to the transverse rods Y, WlllCll are secured to the interior of the cas ing. This leaves an open framework through which the surplus water from the sheets'F may readily pass downward, and the air may readily pass'upward into all of the passages between the several sheets. This exposes a large moisteningsurface to the air. Beneath the said framework is the collector J consisting of a rectangular metallic receptacle open at its upper end and fitting the interior of the casing, so that the water may drip entirely Within. -it. 1 In the bottom of this collector and at one side thereof is the spout J, which asses downward and delive'rsthe water to t e supply-tank D; This s out is also utilized as a passage-wit for the exible tube S, leading "from the fee -tank to the jettank. Within this collectonJ is located the air-distributor J which forms the outlet for the blower B. This distributor consists of a series of inverted openbottomed pans separated a slight distance from each other and cap ed by a similar closed pan serving as a roo These pans decrease in size from the bottom upward, so that the water dropping from the sheets is thereby caught and deflocted from one pan to another and thence to the interior of vthe collector J, but cannot enter the air-passage from the blower. The incoming air enters through the lower pan electric motor C, which drives the blower B and operates the pum P. The air then enters the blower throug a wire screen Z at the back of the .a paratus and also, if desired, through the s utter-openings Z on the side of the apparatus, as shown in Fig.1; The

air is then forced through the distributer J and passin moistened s eets F becomes thereby humidified and emerges into the a artment through the to ofthe casing or, i desired, through latera openings laced near the top above the sheets F. Tl ie moistening of the sheets is maintained, in the ,manner already described by means of the pump P. As the pump draws the water from the feedtank E, the loss is sup lied from the supply-tank D by means of t e float-cock E, and so maintained at a uniform level. When the apparatus is placed in the room or apartment to be treated, the air of the apartment will be drawn into the casing through the screen Z 'and the shutters Z and after becoming moistened by contact with the absorbent sheets will be delivered back into the apartment through the top of the casing or through the openings in its side. Moreover, this results in economy of power, since the entire atmos here of the room will in time be passe through the machine, and passed through re eatedly, so that a small machine can be use for a comparatively large room. It also acts to keep the entire atmosphere of the room in movement, so that it is all thorupward between the several ou hly mixed with the moisture and local.

col ections of impure air avoided. The a paratus in the example given is manifest y portable, resembling, as above mentioned, a tall clock. and being about the same weight. It can readily be moved from one room. or apartment to another, having no fixed connections other than the cord carrying the electric" wires that suppl which simply engage a soclie with electric lamps.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure t like those used by Letters Patent, is

1. In a humidifyin apparatus, the combination with a casing aving inlet and outlet openings communicating with the apartment to be treated, of a series of absorbent sheets stretched vertically therein, means for distributing a downfiow of water to the upper parts ofsaid sheets, a blower for directin a current of air longitudinally along and hethe motor and.

tween the said sheets, a drip-tank, and means. for returnin the water from said tank to the said water istributing means. I I 2. An apparatus for humidifying. the atmosphere 0 sages between the said inlet and outlet openings, a blower. adapted to force a current of air through said'passages, a moton'for the blower, and means for distributing a downflow of water 'to the upper portions of the several sheets. 1

3. An apparatus for humidifying the at mosphere o right casing having inlet and outlet passa es communicating with the apartment to e treated, a series of absorbent sheets stretched vertically and dividing the casing into a series ofSide-by-side passages, a tank below the said sheets, a pump having its intakeipe communicatin with the said tank and its outflow-pipe lea 'ng t0 the upper ends of the said sheets, a blower transrmtting an aircurrent longitudinally along said sheets from the inlet to the outlet passage in the said casing, and an electric motor operating both the said blower and the said pump. a

4. An apparatus for humidifying the atmosphere 1n apartments, comprising an upright casing having an inlet-openin at one end and an outlet-opening at the ot er end, both communicating with the a artment to be treated, a series of absor ent sheets a living apartment, comprising in combination an upright casing, having mapartments, comprismg' an updividing the easing into a series of'slde-byside passa es, a tank within the casing below the said s eets a pump within the casin havin its inta e-plpe communicatin wit the said tank and ts outflow-pipe lea ing to the upper ends of the said sheets, a blower within the said casin the blower communicating at one end with the inlet-opening in the casing and at the other end with the interior space within the casing, and a mechanical connection between the said motor and the said-pump.

5. An apparatus for humidifying the atmos here in anapartment, comprising in com inationan u right casing communlcating at opposite en s with the apartment to be treated, an intermediate series of'absorbent sheets dividing the easing into a series of sideby-side passages, a blower located in the casing and deliverin air at one end of the said sheets, a tank in t e lowerpart of said casing,

a pump communicating on one side with the 6. An apparatus for humidifying the at- .mosphere in apartments comprising an upright inclosing casing having inlet and outlet assages communicating with the apartment 0 be treated, a series of vertical absorbent sheets dividing the easing into a series of sideby-side passa es, a distributing-tank at the upper ends 0 the said sheets provided with perforations adjacent to the said sheets respectively and containing a water-supply normally level with the said perforations, means for directing an air current longitudinally over said sheets from the inlet. to the outlet 0 enings in the said casing, a driptank within the casing and a ump communicating on one side with the rip-tank and on the other side with the distributing-tank.

7. An ap aratus for humidifying the at mosphere oi apartments, comprisingan upright casing having inlet and outlet passa es communicating with the apartment to e treated, a series of absorbent sheets stretched vertically and dividing the casin into a series of side-by-side passages, a rip-tank below the said sheets, a-series of tubes perforated on their u per sides and normally containing Water below the level of the perforations and mounted adjacent to said sheets respectively,-a pump having its intake-pipe communicating with said tank and its outflow-pipe communicating with said tubes,

and a blower transmitting air-currents along said sheets from the inlet to the outlet passages in the said casing.

8. An ap aratus for humidifying the atmosphere 0 an apartment comprising an up: right casing havin inlet and outlet openings communicating with the apartment to be treated, a series of absorbent sheets dividing the casing-intoside-by-side passa esya distributingtank at the upper en s of said sheets with perforations a jacent to the said sheets respectively and normally containing water below the evel of said perforations, means for raising the water-level at all of said perforations simultaneously, and a blower for directing a current of air along the said sheets from the inlet to the outlet opening of the casing.

9.-A portable humidifier for rooms and apartments comprising, in combination, an upright casing having inlet and outlet openings for the air communicating with the apartmentin which the'device 1s laced, a series of absorbent sheets dividin t e casing into side-by-side passages, a supp y-tank into which the'drip from said sheets is received, a pump taking water from said tank, a pipe leading from said ump t'o the upper parts of said sheets and delivering the Water thereto, and a blower directing currents of air through the passages formed by said sheets.

10. portable humidifier for-rooms and assess apartments comprising in combination, an upright casing having inlet andoutlct openings communicating with the apartment in which the apparatus is placed, a series of abair against said sheets which is divided theree by and the separate currents passed over the exposed surface thereof. I

1 1. A humidifierfor treating the atmosphere of living apartments, comprising a. cas

mg communicating with the apartment, a

series of absorbent sheets dividing the casing iinto side-by-side passages, a blower delivering an air-current into said passages at a point op osite' the opening into the apartment an means for distributing water over said sheets in quantities pro ortional to the ilow of airthrough the humi ifier.

12. 'In a hunndifying a paratus, the come bination with a series of a bsorbent sheets, of a distributing-tank composed of a'series of tubes having perforations adjacent to the said sheets and normally containing water to a'point below the l'evelof said perforations and means for simultaneously raising the -water-level at all the perforations.

' 13. In a humidifying a paratus, the combination with a series 0- absorbent sheets -.and a distributing-tank at the upper ends of said sheets, provided with perforations adjacent to the said sheets respective! and a pump for raising the water-level at a l of said perforationssimultaneously, whereby the distribution of the water over said sheets is uniform and independent of the rate of flow of water through the distributer.

14. In a humidifying apparatus, the combinationwith a distributing-tank comprising a series of tubes perforated on their up er side and normally containing water be ow the level of the erforations, of a series of absorbent sheets ooped over the respective tubes but held away from the perforations. therein and means for raising the water-level ofthe distributing-tank at all'the perforations simultaneously.

15. In a humidifying apparatus, the combination with a series of tubes erforated on their upper side, a-transverse uct connecting the said perforated tubes, an absorbent sheet looped over each of the said tubes and a bridgelece for holding the sheet away'from the pe orations in the tubes. 1

16. 'A humidifying apparatus vments, comprising an upright casin having inlet and outlet openings, a series 0 absorbfor apartent sheets dividing the intermediate parts of I said sheets for allowing the air-current to I0 the casing between said openings into sidepass around the said shield.- by-side passages, a motor and blower con- In witness whereof I have hereunto set my tained within the casing belowthe said abhand, before two subscribing witnesses, this sorbent sheets, a water-shield for the said 22d day of April, 1902.

motor and blower intervening between thern JOSEPH J. SMITH. and the said sheets with a passage co'mmuni- Witnesses: eating between 4 the blower and the inter- L. T. SHAW,

mediate portion of the casing containing the G. W. HOPKINS. 

